(griech.-lat.) Pfeiffer-Drüsenfieber, v.a. bei Jugendl. auftretende Viruserkrankung, übertragen durch Tröpfcheninfektion oder Schleimhautkontakt (Kußkrankheit); Symptome etwa zwei bis drei Wochen nach Infektion: Fieber, Gliederschmerzen, Schwellung der Lymphknoten (v.a. am Hals); Behandlung: Bettruhe, Wärme, fiebersenkende Mittel.
An abnormal increase of mononuclear leucocytes or monocytes in the bloodstream; SYN. mono.
Viral disease (also called “kissing disease”, since it may be passed by body fluids, including saliva) characterized at onset by fever and painfully swollen lymph nodes (in the neck); there may also be digestive upset, sore throat, and skin rashes. Lassitude persists for months and even years, and recovery is often very slow. It is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. A serious to fatal complication may be hepatitis.